2/24/2015

See some beautiful new behind-the-scenes photos of Nichelle Nichols! Before starring in Star Trek: The Original Series as Uhura, Nichelle Nichols (who's real name is Grace Nichols) was a dancer. She began taking ballet lessons at seven, and was considered a dance prodigy. Her skills earned her the nickname "Nichelle" for her graceful pirouettes. After studying at the Chicago Ballet Academy, she became a professional singer and dancer touring with yjazz orchestras like&nbsp;Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton.

Although she transitioned to film and television, she still had the dancing skills. While filming Star Trek, she found time to practice her graceful moves in her mini-skirt.